Gary Bettman Finally Speaks On Allegations Of A Sexual Abuse Cover Up From The Chicago Blackhawks Organization During The 2010 Season

Gary Bettman had his annual press conference before the Stanley Cup Finals on Monday. And the biggest storyline was about how the commissioner would handle the questions surrounding the alleged cover up from the Chicago Blackhawks after video coach, Brad Aldrich, was accused of sexually harassing a player in 2010.

While Bettman didn’t say too much on the matter, he claimed the NHL just learned ‘recently’ of the allegations against the Blackhawks.

Bettman: "We learned relatively recently considering that the allegations, from what we know publicly, are 10 years old or thereabouts. We believed that it was appropriate for there to be an independent investigation which has been commissioned by the Blackhawks & is under way."

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) June 28, 2021

Gary Bettman on why the league isn't doing its own investigation: "We’re satisfied that the (law firm) retention has been appropriate. We’re going to wait and see what the results are from this investigation and then we’ll determine what, if anything, we need to do to follow up."

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) June 28, 2021

Bill Daly says the league was notified by the Blackhawks (recently) about the allegations.

Gary Bettman says "all options are on the table" regarding punishment for those involved.

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) June 28, 2021

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Gary Bettman wasn’t the only person in a position of power who broke his silence on the accusations against Brad Aldrich today.

Earlier on Monday, Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz said he hired a firm to conduct an “independent investigation” into the alleged abuse and cover up from 2010.

Blackhawks To Conduct Independent Review Of 2010 Sexual Abuse And Alleged Cover Uphttps://t.co/IRACYEewJh

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) June 28, 2021

“We want to reiterate to you that we take the allegations described in these lawsuits very seriously,” Wirtz said in a memo. “They in no way reflect this organization’s culture or values.”

According to several players and coaches from the 2010 Blackhawks team, president John McDonough, general manager Stan Bowman and vice-president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac were made aware of the allegations against Brad Aldrich. They all were complicit in not going to the police, allowing Aldrich to continue working with young hockey players.

After his Blackhawks days, Brad Aldrich was convicted of abusing a high school player he worked with in Michigan.

As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on how Gary Bettman and the Blackhawks choose to hold people in the organization accountable.

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